Cologne and Paderborn

Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day, myself among that number.

You can see from the photos how magnificent it is.
I believe that is the reliquary with the remains of the three kings.

When the public was swept out of the place by the red-robed men for a noon prayer and music service, I stayed inside and was fortunate to hear a stirring organ piece played by a fine musician.

We were camped 7 km south of this gorgeous Cathedral and rode bikes along the Rhine River all the way to get there.

I hardly noticed the distance the scenery is so nice and it is flat!

The river front is so user-friendly and many people are out enjoying it but the day I took this photo it was rainy and cool.

This bike-friendly city was the best yet and I had some great rides around the area.

There are sandy beaches along the Rhine where families relax and play just like in California at the beach. We sit and watch river barges go back and forth.

This campground has semi-permanent setups where people rent for the season and get there when possible. The set ups were often quite sophisticated.

In every European campground I visited there is a room where dishes are washed. It can get chummy there in the evening when people converge with the supper dishes.

We were looking for interesting places to visit leaving Cologne and on the way to Hildesheim, so we went to Paderborn, recommended by the Michelin Green Guide. That book has turned out to be a big favorite with me.

Paderborn, the city of 200 springs, was founded by Charlemagne in 777 and ranked for many years among the central royal and episcopal seats of the Middle Ages.

The Rathaus with a main gable and two gabled oriels was built in 1613; it's rich decoration reflects the rise of the bourgeoisie. That is the building behind me in the photo.

Candy store window. Some unusual treats.

Paterborn artist at work on a mural.

We visited the wonderful museum on the history of Charlemagne. He had a "palace" here and met up with Pope Leo here to plan for his coronation in 800.

This room is the size of his "great room" I thought the modern reproduction was evocative.

I have never seen a document like this before.

Below the building more than 200 springs bubble from the ground, merging to form streams strong enough to turn a water-wheel before flowing into the River Pader.
We were lead down special stairs to view springs under the building.

Hmm, better get my dress strapped on a little better. :-)